Date Archives: June 2022

Ideas for Upgrading Your Patio

Delta Media Group

Maybe you've been pondering all those cool ideas seen on TV and the web about redoing your drab slab of a concrete patio so that it's a standout feature of your indoor/outdoor entertainment area. Here's the deal. We are all in love with the idea of extending our living and entertainment area into the outdoors. And why not? There are dozens of relatively inexpensive and yet innovative hacks that will make your outdoors as inviting as the indoors, so let's start working from the ground up by renovating that boring, cracked, or scuffed-up concrete patio and see how dazzling it can be.

1. Paint it.
   For basic painting, you will need concrete binding primer; concrete paint; painter's tape, a roller tray with liners (for fast cleanup), a paint roller, nap roller covers, and paintbrushes.
   
   Pressure wash the patio and let it dry. Cover up with painter's tape everything you don't want to be painted. Apply concrete binding primer, allowing it to dry one to four hours prior to painting. Apply two coats of paint, allowing the first coat to dry overnight. Wait 72 hours before you move furniture back onto the patio.
   
   
2. Stain it.
   Apply a stain over the patio, then seal it. 
   
   
3. Paint a pattern.
   Using a circular saw, score a concrete slab with a diamond pattern, then paint it with two shades of gray concrete paint. You can also use a stencil to create interesting patterns like a carpet design.  
   
   
4. Lay decking on top of the concrete.
   Not a fan of concrete? You can lay decking on top of the concrete and attach white fascia boards along the sides.
   
   
5. Create a stamped concrete patio.
   Stamped concrete is wildly popular these days. A bit cheaper than pavers, it comes in a variety of patterns and colors. Installers will try to delay cracking (be advised, it will crack someday) by installing control joints. Obviously, you will have to pour concrete and stamp the new concrete before it hardens. So if you've already got a concrete slab there, you'll have to figure out how to get rid of it. 
   
   
6. Fake a stone look.
   Another redo that involves pouring new concrete is to fake the look of brick or stone with a patterned rubber roller. You'll need a concrete roller to create indentations that look like brick or stone, and those rollers can be costly. Concrete stamping mats are a more affordable option. These flexible pieces of rubber have embossed patterns. Stamp them on wet concrete and apply pressure. Lift the mat and repeat the process. 
   
   
7. Resurface with pavers.
   How about resurfacing your patio with clay pavers? These bricks are hard-fired in a kiln, so they are extra-strong and can stand up to the harsh sun and inclement weather. Less expensive than stone, clay pavers cost more than concrete pavers. 

Although all these projects are relatively inexpensive, you can obviously spend more on some than others. So if cost is a factor, then you may want to go with simple painting or staining.

Once you're done with your new floor, it's time to think about decorating. You might start with a weather-resistant outdoor rug, perhaps in the dining area. Decorate with flower boxes or containers of flowers that can change with the season and move indoors when it's cold. Hang up strands of lights. Add a water feature, which could be a fountain with plumbing or a self-contained model that runs on electricity and recirculates the water.

Let your creativity and inner interior decorator run wild as you think up ways to jazz up that formerly dull space and make it shine.

Have you made some updates to your outdoor living space? Show us some pictures in the comments! 

Sweet-Tart: Refreshing & Lemony Recipes for Summer

Summer is here, and it's time to celebrate all things lemony! These refreshing treats are sure to please at your next get-together.

Frozen Raspberry Yogurt Lemonade Pops

• 1 can (12 oz.) frozen lemonade concentrate
• 1 c. water
• 1 c. fresh raspberries
• 1/2 c. plain yogurt
• 10 ice pop molds

In a saucepan, heat lemonade concentrate & water over medium heat just until the concentrate is thawed. Remove from heat & cool. In a blender, place 3/4 c. of the cooled mixture, 1/2 c. of the raspberries, & 1/4 c. of the yogurt. Blend on medium until smooth. If you don't like the seeds, press this mixture through a small strainer to remove them. Divide the mixture among ice pop molds & freeze slightly.

Distribute the remaining raspberries in molds. Combine the remaining lemonade mixture & yogurt and spoon evenly into molds. Return to freezer until firm, about 4 hours.

Perfect Lemonade

• 1/3 c. sugar or 2/3 c. agave
• 1 c. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 7 c. water

Mix well. Serve over ice with a lemon wedge garnish.

Lemon-Lime Spritzer

• 1 liter lemon-lime soda
• 4 limes, cut into wedges
• frozen cherries
• fresh mint leaves

Mix ice, soda & sliced limes. Add cherries & garnish with mint leaves. Serve immediately.

Adult Lemonade

• 1 shot El Patron Tequila
• 1/4 shot Grand Marnier
• 4 oz. beer
• 4 oz. lemonade
• ice
• strawberries for garnish

Mix together and serve immediately

Strawberry Lemonade Icebox Pie

• 1 9" graham cracker pie crust
• 2/3 c. frozen lemonade concentrate
• 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 c. heavy whipping cream
• 3 Tbsp. powdered sugar
• 1 c. strawberries
• 3 Tbsp. honey
• 1 Tbsp. water

 In a blender or food processor, blend strawberries, honey, & water until pureed. Set aside. In a separate bowl, mix lemonade concentrate with sweetened condensed milk until combined. Set that aside, too.

With a mixer, whip heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add powdered sugar & whip until it stiffens. Gently fold into lemonade mixture. (The pureed mixture is still kept separate.)

Pour half the strawberry puree on the bottom of the crust. Top with lemonade filling, smoothing evenly. Spoon on the remaining puree in evenly spaced dollops and swirl with a toothpick or knife. Freeze at least 6 hours before serving. Store leftovers in the freezer.

What's your favorite summertime recipe? Tell us in the comments! 

The huckleberry is a versatile Idaho food that locals seek all year round in a variety of dishes – and our real estate agents want to introduce you to this local treat.

As the state fruit of Idaho, you can find a number of restaurants that use real, locally grown huckleberries in their dishes near Boise homes for sale. Not only that but greenhouses and garden centers throughout Idaho often have mature huckleberry plants that you can transplant right into your own backyard.

Let's check in with some of the places where you can sample this beloved berry:

• Brunchette – 7135 West State Street, Garden City, ID 83714
  Not far from Garden City homes for sale, you'll find Brunchette, a place where you can enjoy brunch all day long. Known for its wide variety of specialty coffee drinks, handcrafted cocktails, and breakfast delights like "Benedict's Avocado Toast," Brunchette reinvents the mid-morning meal by using local, ethically sourced ingredients from small vendors and farmers throughout the region. You won't want to miss out on huckleberry pancakes!
  
  
• Trillium – 245 South Capitol Boulevard, Boise, ID 83702
  Trillium astounds with its free valet parking and a chef-led menu that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner from local, sustainable ingredients. Acclaimed for both "The Best Sandwich in Idaho" and "The Best Meatloaf in Idaho," among others, you can find Trillium on the lavish grounds of The Grove Hotel. There is also a full bar, and guests of the hotel can order from it directly for room service. Huckleberries are available fresh (in season) and in a variety of desserts.
  
  
• Bardenay Restaurant & Distillery – 610 West Grove Street, Boise, ID 83702
  Bardenay Restaurant & Distillery bills itself as "the nation's first restaurant and distillery" and lives up to that reputation with its sterling service and inventive menu. Lunch and dinner provide everything one could want, including appetizers, satays, tacos, soup and salad combos, sandwiches, burgers, and a full range of entrees. There's even a dedicated kids' menu bursting with flavorful favorites for the little ones. Try the seasonal huckleberry compote with fresh fruits and greens.
  
  
• Boise Pie Co. – 1216 North Orchard Street, Boise, ID 83706
  With a cheerful offer to "let us cook dinner for you," Boise Pie Co. is a leading name when it comes to the classic Idaho huckleberry pie. On top of the mouthwatering array of pies, you can also savor samples from the on-site bakeshop. Fresh treats are baked daily – the earlier you arrive, the better! Cheesecakes, cupcakes, bars, muffins, cobblers, crisps, and more are waiting for your visit. It should come as no surprise that huckleberry pie is a favorite here, but it is also used as a flavoring for cakes, tarts, and other baked goods.
  
  
• The Brickyard – 601 Main Street, Boise, ID 83702
  The Brickyard is the vision of master chef Drew Leger, a Boise native who was educated at the BSU School of Culinary Arts. Since 2011, he has been offering fine cuisine at the restaurant, where even the appetizers have a distinct gourmet spin. From starters like parmesan truffle fries, seared tuna, and oysters Rockefeller to mains such as filet mignon, herb-crusted lamb chops, and elk tenderloin, The Brickyard creates a memorable culinary experience. Depending on the season, you can find huckleberries incorporated into salads, entrees, small-plate appetizers, and fresh desserts baked on site.
  
  
• Delsa's Homemade Ice Cream & Restaurant – 7923 West Ustick Road, Boise, ID 83704
  There's something extra special about homemade ice cream during the hot summer months. And at Delsa's Homemade Ice Cream & Restaurant, you can enjoy a satisfying meal finished off with their locally made ice cream, still produced in small batches using Delsa Walton's original recipe from 1961. There might not be anything better than a fresh huckleberry shake, or dish of huckleberry ice cream made the old-fashioned way!

The local cuisine is just one of the many perks of living in the Boise area. Contact us to find out more about what Boise has in store.

High Inflation Leads to Reduced Mortgage Applications

In recent months, high inflation (and higher mortgage rates) took a large toll on mortgage application volumes. Now, they've dropped to the lowest levels in 22 years. The rate hike has been implemented to fight against high inflation. According to the latest data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), average 30-year fixed rates rose 2.0% higher year over year.

Purchase applications are down 21% from last year at this time. Applications to refinance a loan have plunged a shocking 75% from one year ago. This year, MBA forecasts total mortgage originations to decline over 35% lower than last year. Analysts attribute this to the massive decline in refinancing.

High Inflation

Inflation remained the focus for investors this week, and the latest readings came in stronger than expected, at or near the highest levels in decades. The European Central Bank also revealed a more aggressive stance to fight inflation. As a result, mortgage rates ended the week higher.

As an inflation indicator, Consumer Price Index (CPI) looks at price changes for a broad range of goods and services. Core CPI excludes the volatile food and energy components and provides a clearer picture of the longer-term trend. In May, Core CPI increased 6.0% higher than a year ago. As a result, Core CPI decreased from an annual rate of increase of 6.2% last month. However, CPI hovers far above the readings around 2.0% seen early in 2021.

Supply & Demand & Inflation

As the economy has steadily recovered from the pandemic, strong consumer demand, supply constraints, and surging commodity prices have pushed prices much higher for a wide range of goods and services. The conflict in Ukraine and the recent shutdowns in China due to COVID-19 have worsened shortages for many key items.

Over time, supply chain disruptions will ease, and Fed tightening will reduce the pressures from high inflation, but it is not clear how quickly this will occur.

European Interest Rates

At its meeting on Thursday (6/9), the European Central Bank (ECB) announced that it intends to raise interest rates by 25-basis points at its next meeting in July. It also plans to hike rates again in September by either 25 or 50-basis points depending on whether prices show signs of easing by then.

One primary reason for its monetary policy tightening is that inflation in the eurozone reached a record high in May. The ECB also significantly raised its forecast for annual inflation for 2022 from 5.1% to 6.8%. 

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We understand that no two paths to buying a home are the same. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned real estate mogul, we have a variety of products and loans designed specifically to meet your needs. We offer local underwriting and fast approvals to save you time and money. We have options for down payments and additional resources like our Finally Home! online program to help guide you through the home buying process. Contact one of our home loan specialists to discuss your options today!

DOERS OF GOOD: PAINT THE TOWN

For 40 years, NeighborWorks Boise has been helping our senior, veteran, and disabled neighbors by painting their homes. 40 years. Over 3,300 homes. More than 11,000 volunteers.

We're proud to feature NeighborWorks and Paint the Town as our June Doers of Good recipients. Joining teams of volunteers painting homes across the valley, Coldwell Banker Tomlinson agents and staff made their Saturday morning all about sprucing up the home of a neighbor in need in NW Boise. From drab to dazzling, the home has a shiny new look, the homeowner is thrilled, and our team is pleased, knowing they did something good for our community and had some fun in the process.

Team leader and CBT Boise office manager, Danielle Cullip, says, "I love leading PTT because I am able to bring the CBT team together to help someone in our community that is needing it. Together we increase the homeowner's property value and brighten up not only their homes but their smiles as well."

To Danielle, "being a Doer of Good means I have the opportunity to help within my community. I am able to lend a hand to those that need it, and hopefully make a small difference in their lives."

She encourages everyone to get involved on some level, however they can. To that end, she says, "Even though the Paint the Town event is over for 2022, NeighborWorks Boise focuses all year to address the housing needs in our valley. From affordable rentals to their Homebuyer Education Program and homebuyer counseling, neighborhood revitalization, and pocket neighborhoods, NWB is a critical member of our community."

To help or donate, contact NeighborWorks Boise at https://nwboise.org/.

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Join us in celebrating our Doers of Good by getting involved in one of the programs we will spotlight over the next several months or tell us in the comments below about what lights your fire when it comes to making our communities better. 

From our Friends at Boise Regional REALTORS^®

Summer is just around the corner, and our real estate agents are ready to play ball!

If your search for Boise homes for sale brings you to the area during the summer, you're sure to hear about the busy athletic scene. In addition to home games played by our Boise Hawks, there are plenty of athletic clubs and leagues all across Boise. These cater to kids, teens, and adult players of varying skill levels.

Whether you want to spectate, play, or volunteer to support local sports, it's easy to get involved. Let's learn all about summer games in Boise!

Watch the Boise Hawks this Summer

There's nothing like spending a summer evening out on the baseball diamond. And while playing is fun, there's also a lot of enjoyment in watching talented athletes play America's Favorite Pastime. Our local Boise Hawks play their home games at Memorial Stadium in Garden City. With a capacity of 3,452 baseball fans, the stadium hosts many fun evenings throughout the summer that the whole family will enjoy.

Check out their full 2022 summer schedule to find a date that fits your family's schedule. Besides the fun a baseball game has to offer, there are promotional evenings, that add an extra layer to an already memorable night. These include "Fireworks Fridays", Hawks' Kids Club on Sunday games, and Tuesdays is Bark in the Park (where yes you can bring your canine friend along!). 

Youth Baseball and Softball Leagues

Have a budding baseball talent in your family? Throughout the Valley, there are a number of leagues that your child will love playing in during the summer months.

With options available in the North Boise, West Boise, South Boise, Ada, and Nampa areas, you're sure to find an option close to home that'll help your baseball player improve and grow their skills. These leagues are great ways to meet new people and to get to know more about Boise area parks. Research the closest option for your family.

Adult Softball Leagues from Boise Parks and Recreation

Adults, don't feel left out – Boise also has plenty of athletic opportunities for you, too! If you're raring for adult softball action, Boise Parks and Recreation is here to help with its schedule of weeknight adult softball leagues for players at all levels. Registration is offered by team only.

With the typical registration season taking place June 3-24, Gold and Senior Season games are played between July 25 and October 7, while Sunday Season games are held between July 31 and October 9. Players may register even if they are not from the Boise area (for a slightly increased fee.)

If you are a prospective player who is not yet affiliated with a team, all is not lost. You can call Boise Parks and Recreation directly at (208) 608-7651 to be placed on a pick-up player list that established teams will consult. Remember that adult softball games are subject to rain delays and cancellations!

Visit City of Boise Parks and Recreation for the latest rules and schedule.

Ready to get in on the action? Contact us to learn more about Boise real estate.